Top 6 Questions About My Rigid HVAC 12v Air Conditioner - Staying Cool in a Van

Having an affordable 12v air conditioner was a game changer. These are the main questions that get asked a lot. In this video I share a bit more technical info about the unit.
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My camper van channel shares what my van looks like on the daily and while photos are all good and fun, a video can show a bit more.
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• Minivan Camper Conversion
Staying Cool in Hot Weather:
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Diesel Heater in my Minicampervan - Staying Warm:
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[@VivecaV2020]

I have a Zero Breeze. I used it for the first time last week. It got to about 90 at night outside. But since I was at a campground with shore power, I was able to run it continuously. I live in South Florida, so it’s also very humid! But with this running at night it was around 76 degrees in my minivan by time I was ready to go to sleep. Around that time, I also turned off my fan. I slept with two thin spreads & was very comfortable. Even through it is a spot a/c, my temperature was 69 degrees in the morning!!! To chill a smaller space, I did put up some curtains in front of the front seats.

[@SilverCabin]

ZB has about 800BTUs more powerful that my budget AC. That sounds great! I've heard it's also makes for a great spot cooler. But it's also more expensive. If I could get a ZB unit, I'd put it through its paces.

[@wandertoyonder]

What kind of van do you have? I am looking at getting the zero breeze also

[@florindagonzalez5700]

I have the zero breeze also. It cools my 6.5 x 6.5 shiftpod when it runs continuously. Very satisfied for what it is.

[@ronpintx]

Blowing this 'lil AC directly beneath my blankets on a summer nite -- via the supplied hose -- was really *COLD* . I had to remove it after awhile. Amazing 'lil thing.

[@gabe2045]

Awesome job on the video!

[@ohjeezmom3347]

THANK YOU for this vid! Exactly what I was looking for. 👍

[@michalob21]

If you get really good insulation for your windows I bet it would keep your interior pretty cool

[@chucktownvanlife4267]

This looks very cool for a spot cooler. Looks like it doesnt take alot of space

[@SilverCabin]

I feed the air tube under the sheets and it creates a cold air pocket. It's gotten me through some hot nights.

[@chucktownvanlife4267]

I had a Cruise N Comfort in my van. It was alot to install and pretty expensive but worked awesome. It was about 8k BTU.

[@jamaral5557]

I know this is a bit old, but If you have a bed tent, it is amazing. They sell them with a hole to put a tiny AC on it. You will freeze inside the tent. Excellent.

[@SilverCabin]

Thanks for this. I didn't think of that. I usually stuff the hose under the sheets 😀

[@212caboose]

Maybe try to make an insulated curtain to section off your bed from the rest of the van, and have the AC pump just into your sleeping area. That might help cool you down when sleeping.

[@whydontyouaskme]

Good insulation makes a huge difference on efficiency.

[@budmartin3344]

Great video! I did not know that such a small A/C exists. I wonder if you can turn it into a heat pump in the winter time.

[@rocobocotest7994]

Very good video 😊

[@DavetheUberSlave]

It’s very amazing that little AC reference my midea 8000 BTU window AC usually takes between 300 and 500 W sometimes only 150w capable of taking 1500 W but yours maxes out at 120w

[@SilverCabin]

Hey come join us at the livestream! Say hello and talk about your AC man!

[@SilverCabin]

studio.kzbin.infoB5q-K8RLe_w/livestreaming

[@DavetheUberSlave]

@@SilverCabin That would be my pleasure when do you want to do it?

[@bearnkdgrizzlyoverland7327]

You said water comes out is there a drain line on the unit?

[@jamesmason7124]

Good morning James, I really need to get a Ac it's like 120 degrees in my bus but I don't have any batteries right now, my agm took a dump on me, but I have 400 watts of solar panels during the day

[@SilverCabin]

400 watts solar should run it. It needs a consistent ~10A. Unit costs south $600USD now. It's a great spot cooler. For a bus, a maxxair fan may work better.

[@chrisr7727]

What control panel unit do you use ? Is it just a basic variable speed controller with power switch or one with thermostat?

[@SilverCabin]

The unit I currently have is as basic as it gets. There is a way to adjust how much colder / power it can be fed but in reality, it is always set to high. It's a 12V AC and takes the edge off. The power is a simple switch that I connected. They have another unit available that is much more powerful. I have that unit and looking to install it once I get my battery system working properly again.

[@liemarposter1174]

i want tp know about Psi? amper 12000 btu?

[@chrisl5787]

How long can you run it off your battery? 10 A from a 100 wH battery means 10 hours correct?

[@SilverCabin]

At the time I had working batteries, I could easily get 10 hours a day. It will need at least 10 to 12 amps for start up then it drops down to around 1-2 amps or so. Depends how high it's set.

[@BoandBeceadventures]

hi thanks for the video its great im thinking about getting an ac myself. Can you talk about that little fan in the background. It seems to move air well and is quiet. thanks.

[@SilverCabin]

I can't remember when I got that fan. It's one of those silent ones. Most of the stuff I had I got used or were donated. And it is a good little fan. If I recall there are some on Amazon that are comparable.

[@joegoh1968]

Hi. Do you know how much heat the "hot" side generates? How to do vent the heat out.

[@SilverCabin]

I have it vented out of the side window. Unfortunately, I don't have a build video as I needed to build out my van quickly for that part. But it indeed has to be vented out, otherwise, hot air will just accumulate in the cabin.

[@joegoh1968]

@@SilverCabin Thanks!

[@KampingKatie]

Excellent info. I have a Honda Odyssey. Have you consider a max fan above your bed? I've never personally felt or heard a max fan. I know they pull out or blow in and I've heard if you crack a window you can create a wind flow. I wonder if that would be a decent option if I had room on the roof. Do you have an opion for me?

[@SilverCabin]

Max fan is a good option compared to miniaturized AC. It takes less amps and weights a lot less. For me I opted with the mini-AC because it was available to me and the maxx air was sold out and I didn't have to cut a hole in the roof of my van. In my future vanbuilds, I will most likely have both maxx air and mini-ac.

[@KampingKatie]

@@SilverCabin Thank you for giving me your thoughts. I have heard (with a rain cover) they work well. I enjoy your videos and your van is set up very functional. 😊🧡

[@dakotaparsell9867]

I wonder if those are more intended for the cabs of equipment or something small the doesn't have climate control.

[@SilverCabin]

I can see that being the case as it isn't a full-out AC. It's more of a spot cooler than anything else. It will certainly not cool down an entire van. It's more like a fan and instead of hot air being circulated and blown about, it's actually cold air. There are limitations as well. Places like Arizona or Texas, where it's constantly super hot, it won't do well. At that point, more BTUs is needed. The one I have at this time is about 1500BTU. It takes the edge off.

[@dakotaparsell9867]

@@SilverCabin agreed. Glad you're enjoying it.

[@rocobocotest7994]

how many btu does this air conditioner have? I just bought one too, but I'm waiting for the summer because now it's winter in Romania. in Greece last summer it was 35 degrees in the motorhome. do you think that I will be able to lower the temperature by how much if it goes 24/24?

[@SilverCabin]

This is more of a spot cooler vs a full out AC. It is about 1500 BTU. I put the hose under my blanket at night and it traps the cold air really nice. There is a bigger version that weighs in with a higher BTU. I've yet to fully test it out. This summer I will be installing it.

[@3generations393]

Does your AC make alot of noise? Thx James

[@SilverCabin]

It's actually quiet for air conditioners. Most likely because it's a low BTU output but just enough for a good spot cooler.

[@tigger126]

How do you control it?

[@SilverCabin]

It comes with its own potentiometer.

[@blobtv7444]

IYour condenser is in the van so you're ejecting the hot air back into the space, it's counterproductive.

[@SilverCabin]

If you watch the videos it's vented out.

[@oldschooldiy3240]

Dude! 1500 btu should be freezing you out of that van! If you vented that thing it would cool your entire van! An air conditioner has to remove the heat from an area being cooled! It does no good if you leave the heat in the same area!

[@SilverCabin]

The AC is vented out so the heat is expelled from the vehicle. And while 1500 BTU might sound like a lot it really isn't. Compare that to a regular window AC which is about 5,000 to 12,000 BTU.

[@oldschooldiy3240]

@@SilverCabin Glad to hear the heat is vented! Maybe it's the lack of insulation, IDK! I do know a 5000btu will almost freeze a 10 by 12 room! I did it in my bedroom when my central air went out in 100+ degree heat! Your little van is nowhere near that, is why I say that about 1500 btus! Stay safe out there!

[@DRNEGOLICIS]

The stock a/c in a Chevy suburban is close to 40,000btus this little a/c is only 1500btu I assume the van is something similar

[@SimonCas]

I’m buying one of these just to make a better video on this. So many words so little information

[@alessandropeloso9636]

If anyone is interested in Europe I sell my new 12v ac, never used, for 600 euros + shipping. I sell because my caravan is too big for this type of conditioner.